Point of Sale Software

Tip for Merchandise Placement: Boosting Impulse Buys

POS SOFTWARE

In brick-and-mortar retail, your shop's layout is the most potent weapon. Here is a tip on how you can display your goods that can seriously boost sales and make shopping way more fun for customers if we are focusing on impulse buys. 

The Irresistible Power of Impulse Buys

We've all fallen for a tasty treat or fun gadget while waiting in line to pay. Those little treasures by the register are retail gold! Here's how to make the most of them:

Shape Matters!

Goods stacked in a pyramid

In the vertical direction, have you ever noticed how supermarkets pile fruit and veggies in pyramids? They do this because it catches the eye and makes you want to grab something. The same trick works for your impulse buys! Instead of lining things up in a boring row, arrange them in eye-catching shapes.

It works in the horizontal direction, too; move the shelves to make a triangle shape like this, if possible.

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See how much more you can showcase. It'll look way more interesting, so ensure a person can see the products at one glance. 

 

In the shop, squares work just as well:

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For example, pens, pencils, and rubbers can all be seen in one glance.

 

Make it POP! Eye-catching displays are everything for impulse items. Forget boring rows; use baskets, little stands, or fun props to make things stand out and beg to be picked up. Location, Location, Location! Your checkout counter is prime real estate. Put the irresistible stuff right in front of customers at eye level, so they have plenty of time to browse while they wait. Mix it Up! Keep those impulse buys fresh! Swap out items often and offer a surprising mix – candy, magazines, maybe a nifty little tool, something locally made...a little surprise goes a long way.

Shelf Savvy - Your Main Display Powerhouse

Your shelves are where most of the magic happens. Here's how to make them work for you:

Shops have a huge advantage—you can make the shopping experience personal and exciting! Mastering how you place your goods'll tempt impulse buys, create a fun store to explore, and keep customers coming back for more. Get creative, experiment, and watch those sales climb!

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No-Cost EFTPOS: Is It the Smart Move for Your Business?

POS SOFTWARE

SWOT on No-Cost EFTPOS

Are you tired of transaction fees nibbling away at your bottom line? No-cost EFTPOS promises a solution, but is it the right one? Before signing on the dotted line, let's explore what this model really means for your business.

Now, many of our customers are switching to No-Cost EFTPOS, partly because we have negotiated some really good deals for our clients and partly because many are tired of watching transaction fees eat away at their hard-earned profits. But often washing your hands of the problem is not the best move.

No-cost EFTPOS might seem like the answer to your prayers. But before you sign up, let's look at this payment model so you can make the best decision for your bottom line.

 

What is No-Cost EFTPOS, Really?

Think of it as a cost shuffle. In theory, it's marketed as that instead of you shouldering the fees that come with accepting card payments; your customers pay the small surcharge on each transaction. I would say the customer quickly knows the fees and does not care who charges them; they put the amount on you, and despite the hype, the customers do not care as it's so small; they do care.

The Upside: Real Benefits

  • Say Goodbye to Hefty Fees:  No more upfront payments for your EFTPOS machine or those pesky monthly charges. This can be a massive relief for cash-strapped businesses.
  • Flexible and Easy: Setup and calculations are a breeze.
  • Pass on the burden and responsibility: The responsibility and some of the legal dangers for these fees are passed onto the EFTPOS provider!

Hold On, Not So Fast! Considerations to Keep in Mind

  • Customer Experience: Be prepared to explain the surcharge clearly, especially on smaller purchases. Nobody likes surprises at the checkout.
  • Limited Control: You might lose the ability to use fancy features like dynamic surcharging, where the fee changes based on card type. The odds are your EFTPOS fees will be higher.
  • The Fine Print: Many fees you can claim are not included, e.g., setup charges and chargebacks.
  • Lack of control: Currently, you control the fees; under No-Cost, you do not.

Is No-Cost EFTPOS Right for YOU?

Ask yourself these key questions:

  • Transaction Volume: Do you take TONS of card payments each month? Lower volumes make No-Cost EFTPOS more attractive. 
  • Price Control Cravings: Do you want to fine-tune how you charge customers? Traditional plans give you more options. A very successful marketing strategy is to offer all sales over $50 with no fees. Customers will often increase their basket size to get over this amount.
  • Tech Tolerance: Are you ready to handle extra customer questions about the surcharge?

The Final Word: It's All About the Fit

No-cost EFTPOS is great for some businesses, but it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Do your homework, talk to us, and compare your total costs with both models. That's the savvy way to find the system that lets you focus on what you do best—running your awesome small business!

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Reminder emails and SMSs

POS SOFTWARE

In this crazy-competitive world, the small details keep customers coming back. One secret weapon? Reminder emails and texts!

Why Reminders are a Retail Game-Changer

Think about your POS system as a treasure chest of customer info. Each time someone buys dog food, printer paper, or even a lotto ticket, you learn something important: they'll likely need those things again soon.

Reminders are like a friendly tap on the shoulder saying, "Hey, remember us? Time for a refill on that awesome thing you bought!" They aren't just about restocking, though. Here's what they can do:

Score big with birthday offers: Studies show these get tons of love! VIP points? Don't let them expire: Remind folks to cash in those rewards! Keep appointments on track: Reduce no-shows and keep schedules organized. Sweeten the deal: Promote upcoming sales and offers!

Reminder: Timing is Everything

Here's a pro tip: Aim to send reminders a couple of weeks before the customer might need to restock. Also, give them ample time to use any offer – think about a month! For example, if you want someone back on the 10th of next month, a reminder on the 15th (plus an offer lasting the entire next month) is a winning combo.

Our POS to the Rescue!

Ready to try reminders? Get excited—your POS has this feature built-in free! If you are unsure how to use it, give us a call.

Generic restock reminder:
"It's time to restock your dog food. We have the best prices and same-day delivery available."

Expiring rewards reminder:
"Don't let your $10 in rewards expire! Use them towards your next purchase before the end of the month."

Retail is about relationships, and reminders are your way of saying, "Hey, I remember you!" Boosting loyalty and sales with this simple tactic is a no-brainer. Give it a go—your customers and bottom line will thank you!

 

Why is my cloud backup taking so long?

POS SOFTWARE

 

  

If you use cloud backup for your point of sale (POS) system, you may ask yourself: Why does your backup run smoothly sometimes but take an eternity at other times? Let's explore why this happens and what can be done about this.

This came up after my previous post on cloud backup when I was asked this.

What's Cloud Backup?

Firstly cloud backup means storing a copy of your Point of Sale Data to computers far away from your shop. This protects your data if something happens to your shop, like a fire, computer problem, or, what is becoming much more prevalent, theft. A window is smashed, the computer is grabbed, and it's gone in a minute.

Slow cloud backup

Here are some of the most common reasons your cloud backup might be taking a long time:

  • Your backup contains a lot of information: Your point of sale system has a lot of data to track! Since it's cheap to store nowadays, most people want as much data as they can keep, as you never know when it's needed. Rarely do people complain they have too much.
  • Slow Internet: Australia's internet speeds are no longer being taken seriously and are a low priority. We are now 57th in the world, and countries like Bulgaria and Sebia are higher.

Internet speeds by country

  • Your Internet Plan: A basic internet plan might not be fast enough for big backups. Many people pick their internet purely by price, not by quality. I know price in business is important, but when you have a good price, look around that price for a good service.
  • Network congestion: Think of the road traffic during rush hour, In the evening, as people finish dinner and hop online to watch TV, browse, and play video games, the demand for the internet increases. If you are doing speed tests, you should check the times as speed can vary wildly in Australia by time. 
  • Encryption and Compression: Encryption scrambles your data for security, and compression shrinks it to save space. These processes take time, especially if your settings are focused on maximum compression instead of speed. Contact your cloud provider to see what can be done here. I set them for lower compression and high speed than most people do.
  • Your computer might be busy: Check whether your computer is going flat out when the backup is being done. 
  • Your position: The closer you are to where your connection joins the network, the better your speed. Often, there is little one can do about this problem. I argued once with NBN over this on behalf of a client and was told that after the first visit, it would be fixed soon. The second guy claimed to fix it, and the third guy from NBN came in and said there was nothing they could do.

What Makes it Frustrating

The real frustration isn't just the backup time–your shop's computer and internet get super slow while it's happening! Customers can't load websites, and using EFTPOS can be painfully slow, making running your business a struggle. Many cloud backups really suck up the juice of your computers. 

Tips to Make Things Better

Here's what you can do:

  • Schedule Backups for Off-Hours: Run your backup at night when the shop's closed (for example, between 1 am and 5 am). This won't impact your day-to-day operations if you do not work then.
  • Tweak Compression and encryption (if possible): Many cloud software programs let you adjust the settings to improve the service.
  • Upgrade Your Internet (if needed): Talk to your Internet provider about faster plans if they're available and affordable.
  • Have a Local Backup Too: It's always smart to have a fast backup on hand (like on a spare computer or external hard drive) in case you need your data super quickly. Cloud backups are great for long-term protection and emergencies!

Let me know if you have any other questions about your cloud backup. 

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Brighten Up Your Bookshelves: The Fun of Colour Coding

POS SOFTWARE

Sorted books by colour

I am always searching for fresh ideas to help my clients and allow them to liven up their stores and attract customers. This is an idea that I think may work if you sell books and colour coding. I was reading about it here. I have heard of similar ideas with gifts, which my clients reported mixed results. 

If you have a book section, why not shake things up with a colourful new shelving system? Colour-coding your books is an eye-catching, unconventional approach that could seriously boost engagement (and sales!). Let's dive into the vibrant world of the rainbow-bright bookshelf.

What is Colour Coding?

Traditional books are sorted by fiction by author and non-fiction by genre. Colour coding is different as it means arranging your books by the colours of their spines into a rainbow effect. The idea is that presto—you've got a gorgeous effect to draw customers in! It is simple but impactful.

The Brilliant Benefits

1. Boosted Book Sales

Small retailers here who have tried colour coding rave about the impact in this article. Miranda Seaegg from Vinnies op shops says their colour-coded sections "create a lot of interest" and excitement for customers. They're more likely to browse (and buy!) if it looks fun.

2. Totally Facebook and Instagram-worthy

We all know the power of the 'gram these days. Vibrant, rainbow-themed shelves make an absolutely gorgeous photo op that customers will be eager to share online. Hello, free promo!

3. The Thrill of Discovery

The problem with books sorted by title or author is that your customers tend to beeline for what they know they want. This means that they are missing a lot. But a colour-coded layout encourages aimless wandering and unexpected finds—a "treasure hunt" vibe, as Seaegg puts it. It might make you a problem if a customer wants a particular book to find it.

4. Conversation Starter

An unconventional setup is the perfect icebreaker between customers and staff. As librarian Amy Heap notes, "Bookshelves are decorative...a great way of having your personality on display and sharing it."

Tips for Colourful Shelves

  1. First, do an inventory sort to understand how many books you have in each colour group.
  2. I suggest doing it for a small collection. This idea works best when books are as much objets d'art as reading material.
  3. It is a much easier way of sorting, as anyone can sort by colour.
  4. People will buy more if your shelves look nice.
  5. I suggest trying it in the specials section if you have a large book section. People looking at specials are not looking at specific types of books, so I suspect it might work well there.
  6. The idea would need testing, as doubts would be raised about whether the novelty visuals alone would substantially boost sales for most bookstores.

Final Thoughts

Embracing the rainbow could be just the fresh, friendly vibe your book nook needs. It's a simple, low-cost way to showcase your personality, spark customer curiosity, and hopefully boost sales, too! So grab those coloured spine books and get sorting—a brilliant rainbow awaits.

If you try it, you must let me know how it went for you.

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Your Business and your Customer Email Addresses

POS SOFTWARE

Personal emails

Remember Personal Letters? Yeah, Me Neither.

Think about the last time you received a personal letter in the mail. Can't remember? You're not alone! These days, nearly all our written communication happens through email. It's fast, free, and goes anywhere in the world. We all use email today.

Why Email Matters for Small Businesses

  • It's always on: Customers can check their emails whenever it suits them, unlike phone calls or face-to-face meetings.
  • Leaves a trail: You have a handy written record of all conversations. No more, "he said, and she said," arguments!

The Trouble with Getting to Customer with Email

Here's the thing: getting those customer email addresses correct is surprisingly tricky. Did you know...

  • Oops, typos! Studies reckon around 20% of emails given out are wrong.
  • Old news: About 22% of email addresses stop working yearly due to people changing email addresses, changing jobs, leaving studies or switching email providers.
  • Shield against spam: A surprising number of folks use temporary or "spam" email addresses. I'll admit, I did this myself recently when getting solar panel quotes! I just wanted a price, not the start of communications.
  • People are not reading their emails and spam filters: Some people rarely read their emails, sometimes they have spam filters that knock out their emails, sometimes they accidentally delete it thinking it's spam, etc. Just because you have a valid email does not mean it is coming through.

 

So, What Does That Mean for Your Business?

Studies show that around half the email addresses in most business databases are not good. Bummer, right?

Getting It Right - Steps to a Cleaner Email List

Don't worry, there are things you can do:

  • Double-check at the counter: Our POS software helps catch obvious errors and has a very good email-checking routine. What makes it so good is that it will pick up the errors when the customer is right in front of you.
  • Email checkers: There are some websites like this one [https://verifalia.com/validate-email] which are great for catching potentially dodgy addresses. What I like about this one is that it gives you a danger warning on the email address too. If you know of a better service, please let me know!

Checking email addresses

  • The gentle nudge: If an email goes unanswered, follow up with a friendly email   "Just checking you got my email about [topic]. If so, could you give me a quick reply?"

Why Valid Emails are Business Gold

Here's why spending a bit of time on this is worth it:

  • Talk directly to customers: Send news, offers, and the lot!
  • Save money: Sending emails is cheaper than postage
  • Supercharge customer service: Answer questions and sort out order issues quickly.

In Conclusion

Having a clean list of active customer emails is like having a direct line to the people who keep your business ticking. If you're a small retailer, investing a little time and effort in this will pay off big time!

Improve your Email Deliverability

 

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Easter is nine days earlier this year, so get cracking!

POS SOFTWARE

Hey there, store owners! Easter is coming up fast this year. Are you ready for the chocolate rush? With a little planning, Easter 2024 can be a big win. Let's get those gears turning! With less time to prepare, your smart point-of-sale (POS) system can be your best Easter helper. Let's see how!

Challenge: Early Eggs and Smaller Baskets?

Easter Sunday lands on March 31st this year. That's earlier than usual, which could mean:

  • Tighter deadlines: Less time to order all those Easter goodies.
  • Smaller budgets: Customers might be watching their wallets this year.
  • Kids: What is clear now is that people are not reducing their spending on kids now.

Solution: A Smoother, Smarter POS

A great POS system is like hiring extra hands during the holiday rush. Here's how it saves the season:

  • Fast, Easy Inventory:
  • Know exactly what's in stock and what you need to order now.
  • See what you sold out last year!

Ready to Level Up?

A modern POS system isn't just about the tech; it's about making this Easter smoother and more profitable, no matter what challenges come your way. Want to explore options that fit your store? 

People Want to Celebrate

Yes, money might be tighter for some folks this year. But remember, holidays like Easter are special. By being prepared, your store can make the season awesome for everyone – and make some extra sales too!

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Enjoy a lovely free cup of coffee while training in our training room

POS SOFTWARE

Customer training

There have been many management studies on the advantages of training with software.

Free Coffee + Free Training = Your POS Success Story

Think of our point of sale (POS) software as a powerful toolbox. It's got all the latest gadgets and gizmos – constantly updated to make your business life easier. But even the best tools need someone who knows how to use them, right? That's where our excellent training sessions come in – with a free cuppa on the side!

Why Our Training Rocks

We don't just want to sell you a system; we want it to work its magic for you. Our training is your key to unlocking that potential:

  • No more confusion: We break down everything, from sales and stock to hidden time-saving tricks.
  • Staff = Superstars: Your team will become POS whiz kids, boosting productivity and customer happiness.
  • Did we mention free coffee? Because staying alert while you learn is essential!

Here is what one client said 

"I was so stressed about your great software, but the training was a lifesaver! Now I can now track my stock like a pro, and my sales have gone up."

Training That's Tailored to You

Whether you're a one-person show or have a bigger team, we've got training that fits. It's friendly, hands-on, and focused on your specific business needs. If you need more training, book in more. What I find in my experience that even if you do not keep it all in in, just knowing what something  can do and that it is there is a big step forward.

The Bottom Line

Businesses that use our POS and get the training see way better results. That means:

  • Smooth sailing: Less confusion, fewer mistakes.
  • Happy customers: Faster checkout, more competent service.
  • More $$ in your pocket: A system that pays for itself and then some!

Ready to Level Up?

Let's discuss getting you and your staff trained. We promise we'll make it easy. Just let us know, and we'll schedule your session (and get the kettle brewing!).

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What if cloud backup fails?

POS SOFTWARE

Let's be honest: technology isn't perfect. Even the most reliable cloud backup plans to protect your point of sale (POS) data can sometimes have hiccups. As a business owner, the last thing you want to worry about is your information because your POS system is a lifeline!

Why You Need a Backup... Even for Your Backup

Computers aren't invincible. Hardware fails, drinks get spilled, and sometimes random glitches happen. Having an off-site backup (stored somewhere other than your shop) gives you peace of mind. If something goes wrong with your POS, that backup can help you recover quickly. Cloud backups are amazing, but they are not foolproof.

Reasons Why Cloud Backup Might Let You Down

Power's Out

If your shop loses power and your device isn't plugged in, no backup will happen.

Storage Limits

Some cloud plans don't offer enough space. Big updates or lots of inventory can eat up your storage.

Internet Woes

If your internet is slow or cuts out, that backup could get stuck.

Service Issues

Even big cloud providers sometimes have technical problems on their end.

It's not about scaring you away from the cloud, but about being prepared!

Backup Plans for Your Backup Plan

Check It Regularly

Don't just assume it's working. Log in and make sure those backups are happening.

Consider a portable Hard Drive

An old-school portable hard drive adds an extra layer of protection.

Use your home computer

This is what I do, I make a backup of my cloud once a week on my home computer

The Dreaded Ransomware

Yikes, even your cloud backup can be at risk from nasty ransomware attacks. Here are a couple of smart moves:

Turn It On/Off Strategically

If you're worried, turn cloud backup off while you work. It can hog your internet anyway.

Version Control

Some cloud services let you keep older versions of files, just in case something is corrupted.

How Much Does Cloud Backup Cost?

You can get by with many free plans, and for not much more you can get plenty of storage. Some popular options include:

OneDrive

If you need a lot more space than their basic free 5GB plan, they have much bigger plans for $2 a month.

Google

They also have competitive deals worth checking out.

One good thing about Google and Microsoft is that they often throw in many extras with their cloud offerings so check them out.

The Importance of Good Internet

Cloud backup relies on a strong internet connection. Make sure you have a solid plan that can handle the data you need to back up.

We're Here to Help!

Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Don't stress! Our POS company is here to guide you through finding the most secure, fail-proof backup plan for your small business.

Video of printing a custom message on a receipt

POS SOFTWARE

Getting customers to return to your shop is crucial for any retailer. One cool trick is printing custom messages on receipts! A personalised receipt can grab someone's attention whether it's thanks, special offer, or important info. People do read receipts, often a few times and those people are your customeers.

Why Add Custom Receipt Messages?

There are loads of good reasons to use this feature in your point-of-sale software:

Boost Customer Loyalty

Include a discount code for their next visit Promote your loyalty program Share details about an upcoming sale

Increase Sales

Suggest complementary products they might like Advertise new arrivals or seasonal items Offer bundle deals related to their purchase

Strengthen Your Brand

Reinforce your branding with a branded sign-off Share your website, socials, and contact info Include your returns policy and store hours

How to Add a Custom Message

Setting up a custom receipt message in your POS system is super easy! Here's a step-by-step guide using our training video:

How to set up for an item

Often, when you sell items in the shop, you want to place a particular note on the receipt message to be added at the bottom of the receipt. This is commonly done to suggest new products that a person that purchased this item, specific instructions or offer a special deal related to this product.

Click here for a favourite training video of ours that explains how to use your POS software to put these extra details on your receipts.

It is as easy as that to have a custom message that will now print on any eligible receipts.

Pro Tips

To get the most out of this feature:

  • The timing of when your custom message prints can be just as important as the message itself.

  • Update regularly for seasonal promos

  • Experiment with tone (friendly, funny, urgency)
  • Use capitalization and emojis to stand out. Emojis do work

  • Suggest frequently bought together items ("You bought X, have you tried Y?")

  • Offer instructions on how to use

  • suggested discounts on related products/services

  • Cross-sell subscription programs ("Save on refills!")

Get Creative!

Custom receipt messages are a free marketing channel to surprise and delight customers. So have some fun with it! Craft short, snappy messages that add real value and keep them coming back.

With creativity and the right use of receipt marketing, you can turn this little printed slice of paper into a powerful sales driver for your small business!

What clever messages have worked for your business? Share your best receipt marketing tips in the comments!

A Unique Value Proposition is a Must for your Retail Success

POS SOFTWARE

A Unique Value Proposition is a Must for Retail Success

I've been in business since I was five, working in my grandfather's store. Since then over the years, I noticed one key factor set thriving businesses apart: a compelling unique value proposition (UVP) or an EDGE.

For example, I had a client selling fishing tackle and bait. Anglers knew his store was the place for their gear - that niche gave him an edge that other shops in the same shopping centre missed.

So, what makes a value proposition? Here's how I break it down but first let me say that it clearly communicates the specific value in your customer's image that your business has; it’s your special sauce.

For Small Retailers, A Strong UVP is a Secret Weapon

Without a stand-out value proposition, independent shops blend into the background—just another store.

An effective UVP grabs attention, builds loyalty, and gives customers a reason to choose you. It takes you from forgettable to unforgettable.

For example, a local pet supply store touted its extensive dog food range. Since people who buy dog food are used to going to a pet shop to get it, they have less hesitation about going into this local pet shop.

This actually is one of the reasons, I think the advise of a newsagency calling themselves a gift shop is wrong. A newsagency still in many shoppers has an appeal. It does project trust.

Put Yourself in Your Customers’ Shoes

When crafting a UVP, think like your ideal customers. Consider the types of stores ingrained in their routine.

Most people are accustomed to regular visits to newsagencies for papers and convenience items. The familiarity makes them more likely to pop into a new newsagency than other shops.

Understand your audience’s habits, and you can better position your niche.

How to Craft Your Retail UVP: 5 Key Steps

Creating a value proposition that works takes effort. In my experience, you'll need to:

1. Analyze competitors: Study their offerings closely.

2. Assess your strengths: Take stock of your genuine advantages; selection, service, location, expertise, etc. That highlights your “wow” factor.

3. Understand your customers: Dig into their values, needs and pain points. 

4. Distill your message: Boil your learnings into a crisp, unique statement.

5. Test and refine: Try out messaging with objective parties. Adjust based on feedback.

Crafting an effective UVP requires work but pays off tenfold. For retail survival, define your edge and shout it loudly. It can skyrocket you from average to exceptional in customers’ eyes.

I did like this video on this subject.

 

 

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Out of stock

POS SOFTWARE

Out of stock in retail

How to Avoid Losing Customers

It is frustrating when a customer comes in looking in your shop only to find you're out of stock. We all now how we feel when this happens. What is your customer now thinking, maybe of going to your competitor? 

The good news is this common issue can be largely avoided with our POS system. 

So here is how you can use the inventory features in our POS to avoid out-of-stock and keep customers coming back.

What is "Out of Stock"?

Out of stock means a product is unavailable for purchase because you don't have any left in your store. It is said here to account for about 8.3% of all shopping trips. It's a lot.

What we have now is a missed sale and a disappointed customer.

This is extremely common when

- An obscure holiday is occurring that some of your customers follow and you have forgotten to buy stock for them

-If have run out of stock and not realised it.

Use the "Sold Out or Selling Out Stock Lines" Report

Our POS system has an extremely handy report called "Sold Out or Selling Out Stock Lines".

It will take you seconds to run and save you thousands.

Here's how to use it:

  1. Go to Reports > Stock
  2. Select "Sold Out or Selling Out Stock Lines"

What you want is to pick a period last year of the same date as now to compare.

 

These products need to be checked ASAP. This can help you make sure you have adequate stock.

Moreover

It also alerts you whether items are not properly entered into your system as the stock-on-hand figure is negative, as shown in the example below.

 

 

I recommend running this report weekly to stay on top of stock levels.

The Risks of Out-of-Stock

Why go to such trouble to avoid out-of-stock issues? Well, the fact is that your customers will tolerate this situation only a few times before taking their business elsewhere.

Well, most of your regular customers tend to follow a "three strikes, and you're out" pattern:

  • Strike 1: The first time a product is out of stock, the customer substitutes 70% of the time, and 30% go elsewhere.
  • Strike 2: The second time, they may substitute, not buy anything, or go to another store.
  • Strike 3: The third time, they switch stores 70% of the time—losing you their business.

Today, customers have little patience for out-of-stock. They will quickly take their business to retailers that reliably stock what they want.

So stay on top of your inventory with our POS system! Run stock reports weekly, keep high-demand products well-stocked, and avoid frustrating your customers. 

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The Right to Disconnect: What you Need to Know

POS SOFTWARE

Reight to disconnect

The Australian government passed a new workplace law for the right to disconnect. This means employees can ignore calls, emails, and messages from their employer outside of work hours without fear of punishment. This is a significant change that all retailers need to understand.

How the Right to Disconnect Works

While details remain to be determined, the law means staff can't be penalized for reasonably not responding to calls, emails, etc. during off hours like nights, weekends, and PTO.

What does it reasonably mean? No one knows yet still.  

Key points:

  • Employers cannot fine or discipline employees for not responding after hours
  • Employees can seek orders from the Fair Work Commission to prevent punishment
  • Employers could be fined for breaching these orders

Although I doubt it will help us, most of us are surprised as this proposed law is much less strict for employers than passed in some European countries.

Why This Matters for Retailers

For retailers that operate physical stores with set opening hours, the immediate problem may be that the right to disconnect will have enormous implications for scheduling staff and communicating about shifts.

Retailers will need:

  • More carefully plan schedules in advance
  • Possibly limit last-minute schedule changes
  • Outline exceptions for emergency contacts

Exactly how it would work, of course, remains to be seen as what parliament said, what the courts say, etc; remains to be seen.

What retailers need to know

Hopefully, the retail industry groups can get feedback on what retailers need to know.

  • Definitions around what is "reasonable."
  • Clarify how far in advance schedule changes will be communicated
  • What constitutes an emergency exception?
  • What happens when a shift swap occurs?

Rostering With the Right to Disconnect

Our rostering software needs to be amended, but we are unsure exactly how. When the details come up, I can tell you more. If you have any ideas or requirements, please let me know.

With some forethought and policy updates, retailers must know how to comply with the new right-to-disconnect laws.

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Why your facebook page is not as good as it was.

POS SOFTWARE

 

Facebook has been a ripper of a way for Australian businesses to connect with customers. However, over the years, changes have made it much harder for people to get the same value out of their Facebook pages without paying. Years ago, any business could just post away and reach almost all their fans for free. Today, it is different.

Firstly, you still need a Facebook page.

I recommend every business makes a Facebook page - it costs you nothing and gives you a web presence that is vital for organisations today. If you don't have one, I suggest making one now! An active Facebook page remains useful for branding and customer engagement, but it should not be relied on alone to reach people. Today, it is just one of many mediums.

Organic reach

Organic reach refers to how many people see your post without advertising.

Organic reach is declining.

A study found that organic reach has declined to 6% without paid advertising. So, if you have 1000 people following your Facebook page, only about 60 people see your content. It's better than nothing, but what is the same any more? 

Some reasons would be:

  • Facebook is trying to make more money: Facebook is like any business trying to make more money, and as its product becomes more important, it can charge more.
  • Increased competition: As more people like Pages, there are more Pages, so the competition for visibility on Facebook is more challenging.
  • Quality matters: Better quality content is available, which is what Facebook wants; you need to do a better job to get noticed.

Bottom line: Unless you pay, only a very small percentage of your fan base will see your content.  This makes achieving marketing goals very difficult without paying. As organic reach declines, businesses rely more on Facebook's paid options.

 

Owning your audience

One alternative is to focus more on building owned channels like an email marketing list. Email allows you to communicate directly with your customers. You control it yourself rather than relying on Facebook's platform.

Email marketing remains a very cost-effective way for local retailers to stay in touch with customers. 

Conclusion

It is more challenging for small businesses on Facebook to compete with larger companies that can afford big advertising budgets. Facebook would argue, correctly, I think, that its tools still help small retailers find customers cost-effectively. For no cost, you can get free advertising; what is wrong with that?

While Facebook offers exposure, retailers must adapt to limited organic reach. 

Being Neurodivergent-Friendly with a Weekly Quiet Hour

POS SOFTWARE

Shop quiet hour

Neurodivergent individuals find lots of noise, crowds, and visual stimulation overwhelming. It causes them anxiety. It is commonly associated with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Tourette syndrome etc. Although estimates are difficult to get, a reasonable estimate would be somewhere between 5-10% of Australians, about two million Australians, are affected. This is not a small number.

Now, what is happening is that such people find a noisy shop with crowded spaces difficult for them to manage, so several retailers are experimenting with trying to create a "Quiet hour" where they turn their stop into a quieter, calmer place. Preliminary results seem pretty promising.

What Is a Quiet Hour?

A quiet hour is a designated time when you take steps to reduce noise and visual stimulation and reduce crowding in your retail space. This might include:

Turning Down Music and Announcements

Eliminating background music during the quiet hour to decrease auditory stimulation. 

Dimming Lights

Bright overhead lighting can be harsh for such people so that dimming can help.

Limiting activities

People stocked shelves or merchandise being moved around the store is minimal.

Customers are not frequent, and we can expect a quiet time.

When to Hold a Quiet Hour

Currently, retailers are designating Tuesday 10:30 am to 11:30 am for the Quiet hour. If that time does not suit you, for example, if it's too busy, you could look for slower store traffic times. Analyze your shop's traffic patterns using historical data. Identify a consistent time when you can expect lower customer volumes. Easy to do, there is a traffic analysis report by the hour in your POS Software, which you will find marked with a green arrow below.

 

Put in dates for the last two months, and you will get a colour-coded analysis that shows the activity in the shop divided into four groups.

You are looking for the ones without colour, the slow times. I would suggest if Tuesday does not work, then look at Thursday. 

It is important that you make a consistent weekly schedule, making it possible for such people to plan their shopping.

Promoting Your Quiet Hour

Inform customers by posting signs denoting the quiet hour time.

Get the word out to customers about your new Quiet Hour program through social media, a website if you have it and local groups in your area.

With some preparation, you can transform your retail space into a calmer environment for neurodivergent customers during quiet hours. It's a slight adjustment that can significantly impact serving your local community.

 

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Taking photos in business

POS SOFTWARE

Using smartphones in retail

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In today's business world, with smartphones, it is easy to take photos that can be shared and so communicate better than words alone.

Here are some of the key ways I leverage my smartphone camera in business for visual communication:

Examples of communicating visually today

  • Often we attach photos to emails when describing an issue or product to provide visual context.
  • Use the camera to quickly photograph signed contracts or other documents to send digitally.
  • Showing the product we are selling.
  • A visual catalogue for our e-commerce site
  • Pictures of the shop to showcase our business for social media
  • Photograph equipment, buildings, products, etc., to report issues that need addressing.

Tips for Taking Good Business Photos with Your Smartphone

  • Activate gridlines in your camera app to help frame and level your shots.
  • Take multiple photos and move around to get different angles and perspectives. You can delete the bad ones later!
  • Shine lighting on it before photographing products or other objects.
  • Turn off the flash to avoid overexposure and glare - use natural lighting when possible.
  • Don't strive for perfection - smartphone photos don't need to be works of art to serve your business needs!

While smartphone cameras have limitations, they can produce more than good enough visuals for everyday business needs. Following a few basic best practices goes a long way.

Don't let the quest for perfect photos stop you from visually communicating to improve your operations and marketing. It is said that “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” Henri Cartier-Bresson

 

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Ensuring Staff Security in Your Shop

POS SOFTWARE

Running a retail business comes with many challenges. One key area that requires focus is staff security. While most employees are trustworthy, it only takes one bad apple to cause significant losses. It is a growing problem, have a read here.

The Importance of Deterring Theft

Implementing proper security procedures is necessary to protect your business and bottom line. In my experience, the mere presence of correct security procedures often deters such theft. If staff members see cameras and proper controls in the point of sale (POS) system, they are less likely to steal. So, it is essential to take retail loss prevention seriously.

Over the years, I have become cynical about this issue. Too many retailers have told me stories that start with "He was in school with me... his family and my family....he was very good, my best employee..." and something they start telling me how "He had been skimming my cash register for years." and how they only found out years later that a previous employee had problems with that person.

Some will take advantage if an employee sees you won't care about minor cash discrepancies. If they know a POS system is monitoring transactions, it makes them think twice. One client recovered almost $13,000 a year in extra revenue simply by having separate tills for each staff member and counting each cash drawer after every shift.

Configuring Staff Security in POS Software

It's straightforward to set up security features in our POS system. 

Please go to

Main menu> staff > staff maintenance

Then click the Security Level tab on the top

Now, you will see the user levels with our suggested functions for each level. Change them at will to suit your own particular needs.

Now click Staff Maintenance.

This screen appears

 

Now, set your staff with a suitable security level that they need to do their position. Make sure that you give them the functions and information they will need without compromising sensitive and dangerous functions and information.

The default settings are designed to work for 90% of shops. However, every business is different so that you can customise it for your needs. There are many options to choose from.

We can set these up, and then you can enforce them. Installing cameras facing the tills is also recommended.

Take Retail Security Seriously

Security in retail is often trivialised, but it doesn't have to be. With proper controls through your POS system and staff procedures, you can deter theft and protect your hard-earned profits. Don't become another cautionary tale - be proactive about retail security immediately. Your business will be better for it.

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If you Implement Computer Power Savings you must be Careful!

POS SOFTWARE

Power savings on computers

Reducing energy consumption is a smart, money-saving tactic but can backfire if not thoughtfully implemented.

Recently, The National Lotteries Newsagents Association provided tips to members for saving electricity here, which included implementing smart power settings for computers.

"25. Implement smart power management for PCs

‍Use power management settings to ensure computers enter standby mode when not in use, minimising energy wastage."

Unfortunately, before releasing this information sheet, they did not tell us, and we only found out when our users started ringing us up on how to do this. What worries us is those who did not ring us up, as while savings are possible, improperly configured power management could cause problems if this is done.

If you are going to do this, consider this before enabling power-saving policies on your computers:

Firstly, power savings can reduce the speed of your computers by slowing down the computer; slowing down saves power.

Workflow Disruptions

Computers entering standby automatically when briefly unused may prevent staff from resuming work. This can lead to:

  • Loss of unsaved data
  • Frustrated employees if unexpected logout occurs
  • Slower customer service

All people working on your computers need to be trained on how to handle computers on standby.

System Availability Issues

POS systems often rely on constant uptime of services like:

  • Backend servers for uninterrupted data access
  • Automatic backups
  • Print servers for receipts
  • Computer updates

Frequent sleep disruptions on these devices may cause problems with this.

Application Interruption Risks

Unlike standard shutdown procedures, power management settings may force applications to close before finishing tasks. This could result in data loss or file corruption. Most of your software does not have autosave features; if so, it will cause problems. Sometimes people who run software with autosave, turn it off as it runs slower and is unnecessary. 

Remote Access Limitations

One of the excellent features of our software is that it allows you to log in anywhere in the world at any time; if this is not done, you will lose this ability.

Recommendations

Please consult us first to avoid issues. 

Before deployment, thoroughly test power settings and roll out gradually to catch any issues early.

With careful implementation, you will find that your electricity usage will be reduced without negatively impacting operations.

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Make sure you have restorepoints set up

POS SOFTWARE

Using restorepoints in windows

As a business manager, you rely on your computers and software running smoothly to keep your business succeeding. But we all know that computer technology can be fickle at times. Everything is working fine today, but suddenly, your computer is causing problems. When this happens, having regularly scheduled restore points can save the day.

For example, just last week, one of our clients had problems with some software Slack after a Microsoft update. Although the issue didn't affect our POS software, the client couldn't use some of their other important business applications. What we did was reverse the update by restoring their system using a restore point created before the update. So we got them running immediately.

What is a Restore Point?

A restore point is a snapshot of your computer system settings and files at a specific moment. The Windows operating system automatically creates these restore points to allow you to roll back to that point. Often, this is set up automatically by Windows, but you can often set one up whenever you like.

Why Use Restore Points?

Here are some key benefits of using restore points for a small business:

  • Undo system changes or software installs that cause problems. If a new app or Windows update is causing crashes, you can revert to a restore point before installing it. This allows you to undo the changes.

  • Recover from malware or other system damage. If a virus or other malware infects your system, restoring it is often a quick way of getting rid of them. 

  • Protect against data loss. Restore points provide an added layer of protection against accidental or malicious deletion of files.

  • Peace of mind. Regular restore points reduce worries about system failures. You know you can often quickly revert changes if needed.

Best Practices for Restore Points

Here are some tips for getting the most out of Windows System Restore:

  • Set a restore point before significant system changes. Always create a new manual restore point before new software, or equipment.

  • Create restore points regularly. Setting up automatic weekly points provides ongoing protection. I set mine up to make one every week.

  • Name restore points meaningfully. If you are manually making a restore point, give it a descriptive name so you can easily find the right one if needed.

  • Test restores. Periodically check that they are working.

  • Delete old points. If you have only a small hard disk, delete old restore points to save disk space.

  • Make sure that up use technically good people for this work. You really need someone in your shop who knows what they are doing as you can cause problems if you do not know what you are doing.

Let Restore Points Keep Your Business Running

You don't have time to deal with computer problems. Using System Restore's restore points can quickly get your computer and software back up and running if problems start. Protect your business with this built-in Windows feature.

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See Politics and business do not mix

POS SOFTWARE

This interview deals with Woolworths and its values and the social conversation, woke, etc. I think it is a perfect example of how politics and business should not be mixed and why you should not do it.

Firstly, are the effects of Woolworth's announcement on Australia Day still with them? I suspect yes.

The Share Price Impact

ASX graph of Jan for Coles vs EWoolworths

 

When Woolworths went public with its decision to pull Australia Day products, there was an immediate backlash from customers and politicians alike. Looking at the share prices in the month since shows that this decision likely in part impacted Woolworths' bottom line:

The share price of Woolies vs Coles over the past month. Green Square is when Woolies went public over its decision not to sell Australia-themed merchandise on Australia Day.  As you can see, Wooly's share price on the graph was slightly ahead of Coles. Today, Coles is 2.90% up, and Woolies is -0.06% down. That is close to 3%. See the Black line.

You cannot claim that it is the supermarket business as Coles is up. Looking at the figures, I would say that the share market found something it prefers in Coles to Woolworths, and politics likely played a role in this divergence. Customers voted with their wallets; the share market will react to this fall in the customers' wallets.

So, let us go to the interview and see what Woolies' CEO said.

Banducci: Woolworths' CEO said in the article.

"Our customers are saying focus on delivering value for us and not getting engaged in conversations that are broader than that."

My views: If you find this comment offensive, what am I, some ignorant, uncaring person? Also, this statement ignores the genuine customer dissatisfaction with Woolworths' decision. Many customers made it clear on social media and in complaints that they care about these political issues and disagree with Woolworths wading in.

Overall, modern Australia is better informed than ever; we are politically aware and care. Issues are important to them. In an industry that Woolies is in, where Coles and Woolies often have almost the same products and are close together, it's easy for someone to create by walking into one or the other. Politics will affect buying decisions in such an environment, mainly when well-known and influential political leaders such as Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton say something. Let us face it: he has about 50% of Australia's vote.

Banducci: Woolies “could clearly have done a better job” of explaining its decision over the merchandise.

My views: That is for sure; Woolies could have done better by saying nothing, which is what almost all retailers did. Why antagonise people necessarily?

Banducc: said, “I do feel anxious about the impact this is having on our team. They are proud, hard-working Australians, and for them to be seen as anti-Australian or woke is fundamentally unfair,”

My views: I agree. It appears that most, almost all, the team members of Woolies were against the announcement; see here, here and here

Banducc: denied that Woolies was making a political statement with its decision, 

My views: There is certainly a smell of political involvement in this statement. Many retailers made a similar decision for commercial decisions, but I am unaware of any of them publicly announcing it before this happened. Once it broke out, it could have been fixed quickly, but it was not.

Once politics enter the conversation, separating business decisions from political perceptions is almost impossible.

A Lesson for Business

The fallout from Woolworths' choice shows why business is generally best served by avoiding political stances. Even if well-intentioned, politics are inherently divisive and risk alienating your customer base.

Focusing solely on business operations rather than wading into political debates is usually safest. Let your customers view your business decisions through an economic lens rather than an ideological one.

The Australia Day controversy provides a cautionary tale for companies considering taking a political stand. In our polarized climate, politics and business remain uneasy bedfellows at best.

If you have a subject you care about, say it as an individual. It's a free country, and you can do it and keep your business out of it.

Comments

I liked on the subject this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9QrQPM2ULo
Australians do celebrate Australia Day with food, we had a BBQ, grilling some sausages, burgers, and seafood. That food was on display, I am sure in Woolworths for Australia Day.

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